Polar Latitudes Announces Strategic Partnership with Nordic

Hamburg and Chimu Adventures

A new Collaboration Fuels Company Expansion for All Brands.

21 October 2024 

Polar Latitudes, a respected leader in Antarctica expedition voyages announces a strategic partnership with Nordic Hamburg and Chimu Adventures. Nordic Hamburg is a leading shipping company with investments in various shipping segments including cruise vessels and maritime services, with a proven track record in ship management, safety, and low emission progress. Chimu Adventures is an Australian based company who operate extensive itineraries throughout Latin America and have operated and aggregated in the Antarctica and Arctic space for 20 years.

This new venture opens the door for Polar Latitudes to expand its offerings to Antarctica travellers by adding pre-and-post-cruise Latin America itineraries. It also allows for fleet expansion and advancements in low emission cruising technology. Additionally, it will enable Polar Latitudes to expand further into the Australian travel market. All of this will pave a clear path for Polar Latitudes to not only continue as a market leader in Antarctica operations, but to grow and innovate in the greater polar space.

“We've been searching for the ideal partners to help us expand for more than three years, and now we've found them. On so many levels this new team is going to ensure that Polar Latitudes stays at the forefront of this increasingly competitive marketplace,” says John McKeon, CEO of Polar Latitudes.

“Directly joining forces with Polar Latitudes and tapping into Nordic's shipping prowess to operate, innovate and sell our combined tour offerings globally, simply made sense. We're all on the same page in terms of creating value-lead experiences to our customers both now and in the future.” added Chad Carely Chimu Adventures Managing Director.

As an immediate result of this collaboration, Polar Latitudes will see its fleet expand with the addition of the expedition ship Ocean Nova. Smaller than the currently operated MV Seaventure, the Ocean Nova will be operated with Polar Latitudes signature expertise, offering a tailored Antarctic experience designed especially for the classic value focused adventure seeker.

Within the new partnership structure, Polar Latitudes will continue operating as usual under the leadership of its long-term management team of John McKeon (CEO), Erich Graf (COO) and Patrick Shaw (COO), adding Chad Carey (Chimu Adventures Managing Director) to the board of directors.

PL's itineraries throughout the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 Antarctic seasons, aboard the MV Seaventure, will be unaffected by this change.

- ENDS   -

Notes to editors:

ABOUT NORDIC HAMBURG

Founded in 2006, Nordic Hamburg combines long-term experience in maritime project development with extensive operating expertise in ship management.

In close cooperation with a strong network of competent partners and investors, Nordic develops maritime projects from innovative newbuilding to attractive second-hand projects in various maritime segments.

Nordic is a full-service ship owning company with a strong focus on investment opportunities. From offices in Hamburg, Singapore, Odessa, Manila and Istanbul, Nordic manages a diversified fleet of vessels with about 200 colleagues ashore and about 2000 any given time on board. 

Over the last 10 years Nordic Hamburg investments exceeded 1 billion USD with average returns being double digit for investors. In recent years Nordic has started to invest in expedition and small ship cruising combining Nordic's financial strength and shipping expertise with leading expedition cruise industry companies. 

ABOUT POLAR LATITUDES

Recognized as Best Expedition Cruise Operator 2024 by Expedition Cruise Network (ECN), Polar Latitudes is the established leader in the Antarctica cruise industry, focused on delivering a small ship, highly immersive experience, in an atmosphere of exploration, camaraderie, and shared fun. For 12 years and counting, Antarctica has been our only destination, and as a result, our deep knowledge of this elusive continent is second to none. Our highly-trained expedition team averages a dozen years' experience, we remain founder-owned and operated, and we are committed to supporting critical scientific organisations and research in Antarctic waters. Our overall passenger satisfaction rating of more than 95% is something we take great pride in.

Polar Latitudes is proud to be a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and is a founding member of the Polar Science Collective. To learn more, visit www.polar-latitudes.com

ABOUT CHIMU ADVENTURES

Founded in 2004, Chimu Adventures go-to for all Latin America, Antarctica and Arctic travel requirements, from small ship expedition cruises to personalised itineraries, plus all international and domestic flight and transfer arrangements. Our specialist knowledge means we can offer the best options for everything. We use our own operations on the ground to access an immense range of accommodation and activities and work personally with our travellers' style and budget, tailoring to their individual needs.

Our team is committed to the destinations which we operate in and are proud members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) and Adventure Travel Trade Association. For more information visit www.chimuadventures.com.

Here is a link to Polar Latitudes images on Google Drive.

For more media information and images please contact:

Naomi McKee

PR Manager

M: +44 (0) 7967106103

naomi@senderos.co.uk

Instagram: naomi@senderos

www.senderos.co.uk

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